MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- What does the Twentynine Palms Highway, California Garden Clubs, a blue star and a button all have in common?
Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce is selling those buttons to pay for a plaque for Highway 62, which was designated by California Garden Club to become a Blue Star Memorial Highway, to dedicate to the men and women of the military.
“We’re very excited [the California Garden Club] brought us the opportunity,” said Christina Dooley, Twentynine Palms chamber member. “We’re even more excited we were in a position to take it and run.”
The price of the plaque is $940, and the chamber has raised $400 so far.
For $1 per button, anyone can help contribute to the plaque. Those interested can purchase buttons from the Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club, the Chamber of Commerce and Jesse Allen, Combat Center community relations officer.
After World War II, various state and national highways were designated “Blue Star Memorial Highways” in tribute to the nation’s armed forces. The National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., approved the Blue Star program in 1945. California Garden Clubs, Inc., accepted the program in 1947 when the California Legislature designated Highway 40 (now Route 80) and Highway 99 as Blue Star highways.
There are currently 19 dedicated highways and 54 highway markers within California.
“We’re very excited about honoring our men and women aboard the base,” said Dooley.
The date for the dedication ceremony will be announced after the council receives the plaque.